RIYADH, Dec 21: Saudi health authorities reported the identification of the JN.1 variant of COVID-19 but assured the public that there is no cause for concern. The country's Public Health Authority, known as Weqya, stated that they have monitored the local spread of the JN.1 variant, constituting 36% of the cases in Saudi Arabia. Weqya, through its official account on Wednesday, clarified that despite the prevalence of this variant, there has been no notable increase in admissions to intensive care units.

Reiterating the lack of worry, Weqya emphasized that there is no cause for alarm regarding the JN.1 variant. The World Health Organization (WHO) recently designated the JN.1 strain as a "variant of interest" but mentioned that the current evidence indicates a low risk to public health from this strain. While the JN.1 variant has shown the ability to evade the immune system and transmit more easily than some existing variants, experts noted that it has not exhibited signs of causing more severe disease.

Saudi Arabia has been gradually easing pandemic-related restrictions, reopening various businesses and activities across the country. Notably, earlier this year, approximately 1.8 million Muslims participated in the annual Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia, marking the first time in three years after the lifting of pandemic-related restrictions.